Whippets.
Players issued this set of 50 cards (the Whippet is no. 49)
in 1925 titled'Dogs Scenic Background'. The following
is printed on the back of the card:
"The Whippet. or "Snap" dog, for very many years
has been a favorite with miners and other workers
in the North of England, being used for straight
running or "rag" racing. He was originally
produced by a cross with the Greyhound and Terrier,
and is a small edition of the former, being now
regularly represented on the show bench. There
are two varieties, the rough and smooth coated,
the latter being most favoured. Colours
black, red, white, brindle, fawn, blue. Weight
20 lbs. Height at shoulder 17 to 18 ins."
Whippet Card 1(Players Scenic, 1925)... $7.95 each
Card was issued by Cofton Collections in 1988. On the back it has the breed of
dog and the name and address of the Cofton Collections company.
Whippet Card 2(Cofton Collections 2nd series reprint, 1988)... $5.95 each
This cigarette card was issued by Hornimans Tea in 1961. Single cards were
inserted in all 1/4 pound packets of the tea. On the back, it says, "Whippet.
Only known in its present form for the last hundred years, although old
paintings have frequently depicted as Greyhound in miniature. Was known as
the 'Snapdog' in the North becauuse of its skill with rabbits and is still used
for racing over a 200-yard course. Of elegant appearance with an impression of
muscular power and freedom of action. Hind legs are powerful providing
propulsion and remarkble acceleration.
Whippet Card 3(Hornimans Tea, 1961)... $5.95 each
This attractive card was put out by John Player & Sons in 1931. The cards were
inserted singly into packets of 10 cigarettes. The fronts of the cards all show
a full length picture of the dog "signed" by the famous dog artist Arthur
Wardle. On the back, it says, "Whippet. The Whippet, Race Dog or Snap Dog is
one of the most graceful of breeds. For many years he has been a favourite in
the North of England, being used for straight running or rag racing. Originally
produced by a cross with the Greyhound and Terrier, he is now regularly seen on
the Show Bench. In build he should be a Greyhound in miniature. There are two
varieties -- the rough and smooth-coated. Colours: various -- black, red, white,
brindle, fawn, blue and mixtures of each. Height: dogs 18 1/2 in., bitches 17
1/2 in. Ideal weight: dogs 21 lb.; bitches 20 lb."
Whippet Card 4(Players Dogs full length, 1931)... $5.95 each
This wonderful card was put out by Carreras Ltd in 1936. The cards were
inserted singly into packet of 10 cigarettes. The title of the set is: "Dogs
and Friend: A Series of 50 Described by Lady Kitty Ritson. The fronts of the
cards show a the breed of dog photographed with a child. On the back, it says,
"The Whippet. The Whippet is a miniature greyhound and is extremely pretty to
look at, but it is also very fast and game. It certainly carries some Italian
greyhound blood as well as that of an ordinary greyhound. Its home is
Lancashire, where there is an immense amount of betting upon the different
dog's performances. Even in the hardest times a man owning a good Whippet will
sacrifice his own food so that the dog can be well fed. On reaching their owners
after a race they swing on the piece of rag which they hold."
Whippet Card 5(Carreras Dogs and Friend, 1936)... $5.95 each
This nifty card was put out by W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1937. The cards were
inserted singly into packets of Wild Woodbine cigarettes. The fronts of the cards all show
a full length picture of the dog "signed" by the famous dog artist Arthur
Wardle. On the back, it says, "Whippet. A Greyhound in miniature which has a
remarkable turn of speed over short distances. Head rather wide and flat between
ears with long, strong muzzle. Neck long, gracefully arched and set into
sloping, laid-back shoulders. Chest deep and rather narrow. Back short. Loins
very strong and well arched. Forelegs straight and close together, with
well-padded hare feet. There should be no weakness in lower part of leg.
Hindquarters well developed and well bent at stifle and hock. Coat very sleek
and short. Colour: black, blue, brindle, cream, fawn, red-and-white and various
mixtures."
Whippet Card 6(Wills Dogs, 1937)... $5.95 each
I don't have a lot of information of this card, but I believe that it is
actually a reprint of a series put out in the late 1930's by John Sinclair
Ltd. On the back it says, Ch. Vicar of Ynys. Sire: Willesberg. Dam: Miss
Thistledown of Ynys. Born: June 19th 1935. Winner of 43 Firsts, three
Challenge Certificates and two Reserve Challenge Certificates. Full brother to
the famous Champion Bella Donna of Ynys. (Winner of five Challenge
Certificates.) Both these whippets won the C.C. at Crufts. Owner and Breeder:
Mrs. Barry Adams, Seaford, Sussex."
Whippet Card 7(Sinclair Champion Dogs, 1938)... $6.95 each
Molassine (Vims Pet Foods) issued these cards in 1970.
They are titled 'Dogs at Work'. There are 25 cards in
the set; the Whippet is no. 6. The following is printed
on the back of the card:
"The Whippet which resemles' a greyhound in miniature
is a breed native to Northern England, where the
local miners of a century ago, used them for coursing
sports. The breed has a strong following in the North
today, where it is run in straight course after
a drag-type lure. Apart from the large sums of money
made for its owerns, the Whippet is prized for its
obvious love of racing".
Whippet Card 9(Molassine Dogs at Work, 1970)... $5.95 each
WHIPPET
This card is from a set titled 'Pedigree Dogs' issued by
Golden Fleece Australia. They were 'swap cards', 36 in the
set. The following is shown on the back of the card:
"Originally a rabbit hunter and named because he "whipped-up"
his prey by one snap of his powerful jaws while moving fast. The
Whippet today is mainly used in the sport of dog racing.
Bred from the italian Greyhound and various
Terriers he has a close smooth coat and powerful
hind quarters. When running this dog is a picture
of grace and beauty in motion and can sprint-run at
35 miles per hour. Illust.: "Rosiel Rich Reward" Owner: Mrs. D. A. Stewart,Vic.
Whippet Card 10(Golden Fleece Australia, 1972)... $7.95 each
THE WHIPPET
Players issued these 'Top Dogs - Grandee' cards in
1979. The 25 paintings for this series were specially
executed by Angela Mulliner and form a unique collection.
The following is printed on the back of the card:
"Resembling a miniature greyhound, graceful and fast--
probably the fastest hound there is for its
size, the Whippet was a "manufactured" in Northern
England in the nineteenth century and used for the
cruel sport of rabbit racing. This was banned in 1911
after which racing to the rag took over. A
beautifully balanced dog , smooth coated with
expressive eyes, affectionate but alert the Whippet is
deservedly popular. First shown at the end of the nineteenth
century, the breed has never looked back. Any colour
or mixture of colours permissible. Whippet racing has
recently become increasingly popular in Britain.
America and many European countries. There are many clubs
affiliated to the British Whippet Racing Association and
meetings are held most weekends. Very fast times
have been put up such as 200 yards in 12 seconds.
Adaptable, gentle dogs, they are good mixers
with other breeds and make delightful easily
cared for companions. Height 17 1/2-18 1/2 inches."
Whippet Card 11(Players Top Dogs Grandee, 1979)... $9.95 each
THE WHIPPET
Gallaher issued these 'Dogs A Series' in 1936. The description
on the back: "The Whippet, a gracful little dog, is
known in colliery districts as the poor man's
Greyhound for it is a favourite pet with the miners,
who use it for racing and rabbit coursing.
In certain parts of England experiments have been
made with this dog on Greyhound tracks, but it
has not yet ousted its larger brother from this field
of sport. The Whippet is rather shy of strangers
but a good companion.
Whippet Card 12(Gallaher Dogs A Series, 1936)... $9.95 each
THE WHIPPET
Epol Pet Products in Cape Town, So. Africa put these cards
out in 1974, titled 'Dog Pictures'. The following is shown
on the back of the card in both English and Dutch.
"As a companion it is affectionate and
intelligent, with a fine short, close coat that needs
little attention. Height 46 cm, weight 10 kg."
Whippet Card 13(EPOL South Africa Pet Food Co.,1974)... $12.95 each
WHIPPET
Hignett Tobacco issued this set of 50 'Dogs' in 1936. (The
Whippet is no. 50). The description on the back follows:
"A Greyhound in miniature, the Whippet has long been a
favorite breed with certain fanciers, particularly colliers
in the North of England. It is a very fine courser of rabbits,
and is still raced in some parts. One Whippet was timed to
do 200 yards in 12-1/5 seconds. Probably the breed was
created by crossing Greyhounds with Italian Greyhounds
(a very small breed of similar type), or the now
extinct White English Terriers. Whippets were
formerly known as Snap Dogs."
Whippet Card 14(Hignett Dogs, 1936)... $19.95 each
WHIPPET
Weeties "Favourite dogs - New Zealand" issued this set of 32
cards in 1940. A lovely painting but does not recognize the
artist. Shown on the back of the card:
"The Whippet is a result of thorough mixing of various
sporting and racing ancestors. Developing great speed, he
is bred largely for rabbit coursing and for racing.
Apart from his sporting instinct, the Whippet
is exceptionally intelligent, docile and
affectionate, and therefore makes a wonderful
companion.
*
DO remenber that your dog is a most intelligent
animal. He likes to be talked to. He loves
companionship."
Whippet Card 15(Weeties Favourite dogs New Zealand, 1940)... $24.95 each
WHIPPET
A truly beautiful painting by artist Leo Chambers and issued
by Moustafa Tobacco in 1924. The Whippet is the no. 23 card
in the set of 40. The following is printed on the back of the card:
"This is a sporting dog. but apart from match
events he is of little good from a sporting
point of view. Like all dogs, he is an excellent
companion. He should have a long tapering head,
large teeth, small ears, long arched neck, plenty of
muscle on the thighs, straight muscular legs, long
tail, deep chest and big ribs.
Feed on Spratt's Dog Cakes. "Ovals" and
"Rodnim"".
Whippet Card 16(Moustafa Leo Chambers Dogs Heads, 1924)... $24.95 each
This final card is the jewel of the set. The original set of these cards was
issued by W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1914. This reprint set is an officially
authorized reproduction produced by Victoria Gallery in 1987. Even the reprint
is now highly prized. On the back it says, "Whippet. The Whippet, or Snap-dog,
is highly esteemed, especially in the North of England, for its merits in
connection with the sport of rabbit-coursing, which, however, of late years,
has been supplanted by the popular "straight-out" Whippet races. So much do the
owners think of their Whippets that often these dogs, when in preparation for a
race, live better than their master, nothing being thought too good for them.
The distance of the race is usually 200 or 250 yards, and the dogs are
handicapped according to size or weight. When in their proper places each dog
is securely held, and their attention is directed to a person near the judge's
box, but some distance behind the winning line, who waves an object in his hand
and encourages them to run after him to secure it. On the firing of the pistol
the dogs are released, and the first over the line is declared the
winner."
Whippet Card 17 (Wills Dogs A Series reproduction, 1987)... $5.95 each
Whippet Card 18(Wills Dogs A Series ORIGINAL, 1914)... $24.95 each
Whippets Playing Cards
Sorry, we don't have any complete sets of playing cards. These were
from collections of antique cards and there is no way of knowing how
old they are or where one might find more of them. They are certainly
a part of Whippets history.
This playing card was issued in 1996 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. It was printed
in Belgium and the lovely illustrations were done by Tomas Markevicius as part
of the Dogs of the World Card Collection.
Whippet Playing Card... $4.95 each
